Relationships3 min(s) read
Photographer who spent four years on adult sets reveals the X-rated act that made him gag - and had female stars rushing to comfort him
A former porn photographer has revealed the one sex act that left him gagging when he saw it in-person.
Seasoned photographer, Thomas Grant, moved to the UK from South Africa to pursue a career behind the lens, but he got a little more than he bargained for when he first started out.
The big, bad world of porn poses some sort of intimacy paradox. While millions use it to carry out one of the most intimate acts a person can do individually, these often seedy, superficial sex scenes couldn’t be further removed.
However, for Thomas, this sexual medium became very real after taking a job as a porn photographer, subsequently working in the industry for over four years.
Porn photographer reveals experience in the industry
Speaking to Vice, Thomas spoke openly about the industry, laying bare the actualities of being a part of it.
“Initially, it’s a complete mind f**k. But after a couple of days, you realize it’s not people having real sex; it’s people coming in to do their jobs. But the first day I was there was really, really daunting. I felt really uncomfortable directing a girl who wasn’t uncomfortable being directed,” Thomas said.
Thomas revealed the difference between porn photography and fashion, making a surprising admission.
“It’s a subject to be photographed and filmed in the best possible way. I’ve often said, there’s a lot more sexuality in shooting fashion than there is in shooting porn. Porn is what it is.
“I often get asked, especially by guys, 'Do you ever get the need to just get in there?' But it’s like, 'No, dude.'
"At the end of the day, it’s a lens and a camera. You’re there [to take photos], and you have to do your best to get the best out of the people you’re working with."
Thomas discusses one thing that always disgusted him
Yet, arguably the most stunning revelation, was that he was never completely desensitized to what he was capturing, with one particular element still making him a little queasy.
“No. I mean, it doesn’t impact what you see outside of work, but it is what it is on set. The one thing I could never stomach, though, was the c*m shot,” he claimed.
“I don’t know - it’s just one thing I could never, ever handle. When I first started working there, I had to go in to shoot the pop, and I would literally start gagging.
“Some of the girls - especially some of the more professional ones - do all sorts of weird s**t with it, gargling with it or blowing bubbles with it. And I just couldn’t get used to it.
"Some of the girls started noticing - they knew it freaked me out - so some of them, as soon as the scene was done, would run up to me and try to hug me or kiss me."